Pakistanis Can Now Identify Fake Medicines and Check Their Prices Using Their Phones, Here's How

Buying medicines in Pakistan may become safer and more transparent as the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) introduces a digital system that allows consumers to check medicine details, verify authenticity and confirm prices through their smartphones.

The facility is available through Drap’s Mehfooz Dawa application, which is designed to help people identify genuine pharmaceutical products and avoid counterfeit medicines.

According to Sajid Shah, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Health Services, around 800 pharmaceutical companies and over 90,000 medicines are registered with Drap. The authority has introduced a two-dimensional (2D) barcode system to improve monitoring and protect consumers.

Under the new arrangement, medicine packages carry special barcodes that consumers can scan using their smartphones. Once scanned, users can access product information and check the listed price, helping them make more informed purchasing decisions.

The system also gives regulatory authorities a better way to monitor medicines from manufacturers to distributors and pharmacies. If a product is reported to have quality problems or receives complaints, officials will be able to trace its supply chain and take steps to recall it when necessary.

The digital tracking initiative has a long history. The proposal was first introduced in 2015 and received federal cabinet approval in 2017. However, administrative hurdles delayed its launch for several years.

Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal had previously raised concerns over the delay and directed that the system be introduced without further unnecessary waiting. Earlier this year, Drap also announced October 1 as its deadline for implementing the barcode system.

The centralised track-and-trace system officially became operational on October 9.

The initiative is expected to strengthen medicine safety, discourage black marketing and reduce the circulation of fake and expired pharmaceutical products across the country.

The Ministry of National Health Services says its priority is to ensure that people can access reliable, effective and quality medicines without falling victim to counterfeit products.